Cancer Stem Cell News Volume 3.11 | Mar 26 2014

Orchestration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development by Diverse Liver Cancer Stem Cells
Scientists found that liver cancer stem cells defined by different markers show unique features of tumorigenicity and metastasis, with phenotypes closely associated with committed liver lineages. [J Gastroenterol] Abstract

Comparative Expression Study of the Endo-G Protein Coupled Receptor (GPCR) Repertoire in Human Glioblastoma Cancer Stem-Like Cells, U87-MG Cells and Non Malignant Cells of Neural Origin Unveils New Potential Therapeutic Targets
Researchers report a descriptive study of the differential expression of the endo-GPCR repertoire in human glioblastoma cancer stem-like cells, U-87 MG cells, human astrocytes and fetal neural stem cells. [PLoS One] Full Article

Phenotypic, Genomic and Functional Characterization Reveals No Differences between CD138⁺⁺ and CD138^low Subpopulations in Multiple Myeloma Cell Lines
The authors demonstrated the presence of two subpopulations – CD138⁺⁺ (95-99%) and CD138^low (1-5%) – in eight multiple myeloma cell lines. To find out possible stem-cell-like features, they phenotypically, genomically and functionally characterized the two subpopulations. [PLoS One] Full Article

The Notch Pathway Is Important in Maintaining the Cancer Stem Cell Population in Pancreatic Cancer
A gamma secretase inhibitor that inhibits the Notch pathway and a shRNA targeting the Notch target gene Hes1 were used to assess the role of the Notch pathway in cancer stem cell population maintenance and pancreatic tumor growth. [PLoS One] Full Article

Tumor-Induced STAT3 Activation in Monocytic Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Enhances Stemness and Mesenchymal Properties in Human Pancreatic Cancer
Scientists demonstrated that monocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cells (CD11b⁺/Gr1⁺/Ly6G^–/Ly6C^hi) significantly increase the frequency of ALDH1^Bright cancer stem cells in a mouse model of pancreatic cancer. [Cancer Immunol Immunother] Full Article

Stemness State Regulators SALL4 and SOX2 Are Involved in Progression and Invasiveness of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
SALL4 and SOX2 are two main transcription factors involved in maintenance of pluripotency, self-renewal and cell fate decision in embryonic stem cells. Investigators aimed to elucidate the expression levels of these important transcription factors in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and to reveal their probable roles in maintenance and progression of the disease. [Med Oncol] Abstract

A Mesenchymal Glioma Stem Cell Profile Is Related to Clinical Outcome
Comparative analysis between glioma stem cells (GSCs) and H1 and H9 human embryonic stem cells as well as H9-derived neural stem cells indicates major variations in gene expression of pluripotency factors Nanog and OCT4, but a stable pattern for SOX2 suggesting its important function in maintaining pluripotency in GSCs. [Oncogenesis] Full Article

Glioblastoma Cancer Stem Cells: Biomarker and Therapeutic Advances
Basic glioblastoma multiforme and glioblastoma cancer stem cell (GSC) genetics and proteomics studies combined with strategies to discover GSC-targeting agents could lead to novel treatments that significantly improve patient survival and quality of life. [Neurochem Int] Abstract

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MultiCell Technologies Files U.S. and International Patent Applications for the Treatment of Liver Cancer
MultiCell Technologies, Inc. has filed additional U.S. and international patent applications covering MCT-485 and its composition of matter, biological targets, mechanism of action, and methods and formulations for therapeutic use. MCT-485 is thought to target cancer by delivering a cytotoxic and oncolytic effect to only those cells having the highest tumor initiating capability that are part of the cancerous process such as cancer stem cells and tumor initiating cells. [PR Newswire Association LLC] Press Release

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Postdoctoral Fellow – Hematopoietic Stem Cell and Leukemia Research (City of Hope)

Tenure-Track Faculty Position – Cancer Biology and Evolution (Moffitt Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Position – Glioblastoma, Oncolytic Virus and Cell Signaling (Ohio State University)

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer Bioinformatics (Karolinska Institutet)

Director of GMP/GLP Quality Operations (University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine)

Faculty Position – Cancer Biology and Evolution (Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute)

Postdoctoral Position – Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Division (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Scientific Communications & Publishing Coordinator (STEMCELL Technologies, Inc.)

Research Technologist – Pluripotent Stem Cells (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – Particle Chemistry (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

Research Technologist – PSC Biology and Bioengineering (STEMCELL Technologies Inc.)

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